Time to Catch up

I am so far behind on posts I don't even know where to begin. How about some new things about NJ.  At 7 months she is:
*pushing herself to a sitting position
*laughing at herself
*making new sounds all the time but especially 'da-da-da'
*Using the crib to pull up to a standing position (only twice so far that we have seen)
*trying desperately to crawl and getting so close
*smiles a lot!
*doesn't meet a stranger
*claps when I say "yea, Natalie!"
*eating veggies, but loving carrots

This is the first time I caught her! I don't think she was very happy with me. Can you tell?!
She is growing and changing so much. I am so thankful to be home for the summer to watch all of these changes. It really seems like every day brings something new. I can't believe she is 7 months and has so much hair. Just what I always wanted: a girl with beautiful, dark, thick hair.

Last week we spent a few days at my sister's house. We drove up on Tuesday just in time to surprise Evan by picking him up from his last day of school. When we got there he was still asleep from naptime so I got to wake him up. He slowly looked up, smiled, and threw is arms around me. It was so sweet!
He immediately started showing me stuff in his cubby. He had drawn me a picture of a flower, and a family picture with every one's head! Brian had spiked hair, and his daddy had no hair and a go-tee. Pretty accurate! I was impressed. He has grown so much.

Wednesday was spent playing at the house and swimming in their little pool. It was the absolute perfect size for the three of them to play. Natalie had a little boat that suited her just fine. Thanks Aunt Ashley!  Evan and Audrey were so good with NJ the whole trip. They took turns feeding her, helping me get her dressed, and occupying her while we were busy.

How sweet is this?

Well, we did manage to squeeze a nap or two in. I think they wore her out.

This has to be one of the most precious pictures I have seen. Gathered around the dinner table....makes me want a few more to sit at our table each night. Children are such a blessing!

Thursday Ashley had to work so we took our time getting ready that morning, then off to the library we went. There was a story time at 10:30 and the kids had never been. It was a really good story time with reading, singing, and a video story as well. After the story there was a craft time where they got to color a book mark. Once they finished this activity we went to the children's section of the library. They played with puppets, toys, and had a little computer time. We really had a blast! We killed the remainder of the afternoon with lunch and swimming until Ashley got home. Pizza was on the menu for the evening followed by a popcorn and movie night. Lots of fun! OH, and I dressed the girls alike for the day and everyone had a fit over how cute they were. I agreed!

As always it was hard to leave, and we miss them terribly. However, I am SO very thankful that my job allows me to do this kind of thing in the summer.